Otto DaemmrichOconomowocGMHOF 1980

Otto Daemmrich was a high school wrestler at West Milwaukee and he lost only one varsity wrestling match but was never a State Champion because there was no State Tournament during the War Years (1942-45). His coach at West Milwaukee was Lester Leahy who was inducted into the "George Martin Hall of Fame" in 1979.

After graduating from High School, Daemmrich wrestled at the University of Wisconsin for a short period of time and lettered his first year as a Badger wrestler. Due to an injury, he was unable to wrestle.

After completing his college education, Daemmrich taught at the Wisconsin School for Boys in Waukesha and it was during this time that he started the wrestling program at Carroll College. In 1955 Otto was hired as a Physical Education Teacher in Oconomowoc. He started the wrestling program there in 1956 on his own and the following year the high school sponsored the sport for the first time with Daemmrich as the head coach. In four years, Daemmrich's team finished second in the State Tournament and in each of his first four years he had State Qualifiers.

Prior to the 1961 season when his team finished second in the State, Daemmrich was operated on for a brain tumor ... he passed away on May 5, 1962 at the age of 34.